From time to time, we like to let readers in on what’s happening in the Orchards and the Fields. We’ve got a bumper crop this year, I hope. Let’s start with the cherries.
Yes, they’re looking good!
Here are the apricots:
The fruit formed nicely, but it keeps falling off the tree. We’re researching why.
A few pears:
And some apples, too.
Here’s a look at some of the flowers.
Pink Jasmine —
— which is growing on a trellis alongside the porch:
Some new lavender plants underneath:
Hopefully they’ll look like these guys this time next year:
Hard to tell, but I just planted some iris right here between the hydrangea and the sidewalk. I think it’ll be nice to walk past them in spring.
Here’s Mr. Hydrangea:
I gave him a nice haircut this year, and we put down some hollytone, the acid in which we hope will bring us blue flowers this year. We shall see!
I moved some astilbe to a dark corner by the hose near the entrance to the house. I hope it’s OK here.
It didn’t like its old home. Too close to the dryer vent, so very hot and dry.
I also put in some sweet woodruff.
I’m just hoping any ground cover will work at this point. The vinca isn’t going as fast as I’d like.
Right next to the hydrangea are the red currants:
Impatiens. Why not?
African bee basil:
Apparently the little guys love it.
Japanese anemone:
Some Siberian iris our neighbor Kelly gave us:
Phlox, a gift from Bill Cary:
Here’s an overview. From bottom, sedum, anise hyssop, African bee basil, Japanese anemone, Siberian Iris. That’s Joe Pye Weed in the back:
Russian sage:
Johnson’s Geranium:
Joe Pye and Purple Coneflowers:
Joe likes to spread his seedlings all over the garden:
I’m not so sure how long Joe is going to be welcome.
More apricots:
Gooseberries:
A new addition this year, figs!
Here’s an iris in bloom. At least we got a couple:
Some new iris. Again, a gift from Kelly:
I know it’s hard to see, but this is the asparagus patch:
A new addition from the Nyack Plant Sale, Campanula poscharskyana, the Serbian Bellflower:
Some nasturtiums. I hope they take off this year:
Black currants. This is Willoughby:
We have four, starting at the pear tree and working toward the back of the property, they alternate between Willoughby and Black Down.
And our new babies, the blackberries:
There are two varieties, both thornless. From left to right, working from the pear tree to the back of the property, Chester Thornless, Triple Crown and Chester Thornless.
I also planted 30 pastel-colored gladiolas behind our big rock.
Hopefully it will make a hell of a splash of color back there!
Hi guys!
Now to the front of the house. Here’s the herb bed.
Clockwise from bottom left, oregano, rosemary, several kinds of basil, chives, pimento peppers, ancho peppers, lemon verbena (that’s falling over!), tarragon, thyme and sage:
Chives are blossoming:
Greg has devoted one bed entirely to strawberries:
Blueberries are coming along!
This is one of my toyo nishiki flowering quince:
It’s just getting started so I’m helping it along. Some web sites say it can be espaliered, which would be cool. Not sure I’m ready for that kind of a commitment yet, though. Here’s the other one:
You can see what I’m talking about espalier-wise, with that tall leader reaching for the sky.
Here’s one of the vegetable beds:
Mache, lettuce, chives, beets and carrots.
And here’s another. Seedlings, mostly, but you can see the beans and the cabbage:
Well that’s about it for this update. I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour!
One year ago: Out in the Fields, Building Beds.
Two years ago: Boo in China: The Great Wall.
Three years ago: Recipe: Strawberry Ice Cream.
Four years ago: Drinks at the Red Hat. (The old one!)
